Forever & Always

Chapter 1 - A blast from the past

"So in conclusion, the smartest move would ALWAYS be to be stern and assert yourself well, otherwise no one in this industry will take you seriously." Professor Treigh concluded, "see you all soon."

I packed my bags and headed to the campus Cafeteria to pick up my usual bacon and egg sandwich, draping my laptop bag over my shoulder and with a sluggish groan.

"Damn you look like shit A" my best friend Tara announced

"Gee thanks, I didnt notice" I said sarcastically

"Please dont tell me you spent the entire evening studying again Aaliyah" she moaned

I walked over to the vending machine and inserted a bill, and soon a can of coca-cola came rolling out, "gotta keep these grades up you know.." I said

"A your literally the smartest person I know, seriously. You need to take it easy. Get some rest" she looked at me worriedly

"You rest you rust, Tee" I shrugged, "anyway, what are you getting up to today" I said, trying to change the topic

"Ooooooh, I almost forgot!! Maxwell O'fraire is having a pool party tonight and apparently he invited a bunch of people from highschool! I was hoping we could go together" she informed she excitedly

"I dont know Tara, I have work to do" i sighed

"If you dont come I'll drag you out of that apartment by yo damn ponytail myself" she asserted

I laughed, I loved how Tara always pushed me to be social since my anxiety often wouldn't allow me to, "okay okay fine" I chuckled

"That's my girl" she smiled, "make sure to wear your cutest swimsuit"

And with that she gave me a kiss on the cheek and ran off to her next lecture.

**Later that day**

Tara and I pulled up to Maxwells house and the scene was a mess of already drunk and rowdy ex-highschool students

"Oh hell yeah, this is going to be fun!!!" Tara exclaimed, "get your sorry ass out of this car and let's party!!"

As we walked inside I scanned the area, drinks were flowing, music was blasting and Maxwell being the rich douche he is had literal butler's walking around serving people drinks and light snacks.

Tara had ran off to socialise with some old friends, so I took the chance to go to the bar to get a drink to get the vibe going.
I sat down on the mahogany bar stools and a bar tender soon approached me, "strawberry cider please" I asked politely
"Wow, your the first person to order something below 5% tonight" the bar tender laughed and handed me my chilled drink, "one strawberry cider for the gorgeous young lady" he smiled as he handed me my drink

"Dont be a creep Charles" an obnoxious voice said as he approached the bar and took a seat next to me, " Aaliyah Williams?!" Maxwell laughed in disbelief

"You seem shocked to see me Maxwell.." I smiled

"I was definitely not expecting to see your book worm ass here" he smiled while taking a sip of his beer.

"Hey I can let loose too you know" i said

"Tara made you come right" he smirked at me, "the party animal herself"

"Hey arent yall a bit old to be gossiping about me" Tara joked as she took a seat with us, already tipsy "tequila and a lemon please" she requested

"Maxwell was just leaving" I said politely

"Damn, it's my party but okay" he chuckled grabbing his beer, "hey before I go..." he started in a suspicious tone "...try not to look to your left okay princess" he said with a concerned look, then left to join the rest of the party